Women, poverty and the recession - Essay Example

?Women, Poverty, and the Recession The juncture of ethni rank, and sexual roles has affected all people from different walks of life. From complex commercial officialdoms to humble households, these elements have displayed their authority. Specifically, women have generally faced a number of difficulties. For instance, wives and mothers have adjusted their budget to fit the bigger need of their families. Working moms have learned to engage in moonlighting activities to help stretch their finances and escape from poverty. The following discussions look into the various aspects regarding women’s plight in response to the economic recession.  Intersectional perspective delves on "the relationships among multiple dimensions and modalities of social relationships and subject formations" (McCall 1171). Otherwise known as intersectionality, this theory asserts that various factors that identify an individual such as gender, ability, and race synergize in differing levels that leads to social inequality. This perspective has been mainly used to expound on gender. Until now, gender stereotypes are very much practiced. This paper seeks to clarify certain prejudices especially on women. For instance, women are usually regarded to primarily have supportive roles. However, this kind of viewpoint is affected by location, social position, and other aspects. This topic was chosen due to its relevance even at this modernistic age. Data was gathered through literature review. Particularly, the pecuniary slump has affected all individuals. Also, women have been affected by the stimulus package which was inspired by the recession. Moreover, wives’ careers have been altered, women experience poverty in various ways, and mothering has faced drawbacks. In the process of completing this research, I have realized that gender is greatly affected by sociocultural constructs than biological ones. In an article entitled, “Recession Affecting Every Aspect of American Life”, how the crisis affected the nation’s gender gap, income gap, housing status, and poverty were specified (Nasser, Overberg, and Cauchon). It was stated that regardless of income and educational status, people have been affected by the recession. Generally, the masses have become quite cautious of their investments and employment concerns. They have become more hesitant when it comes taking financial risks. Due to the economic constraint, fewer people are moving. Altering addresses may be too risky and there are more expenses in engaging in such goings-on. Many couples have also delayed marrying. To skip the expenditures involved in the wedding, couples have just decided to live together. In fact, partners moving in together have increased by 13%. This statistics is attributed to job losses. Numerous adults have also maintained their single status despite their mature age. Regarding families’ properties, the number of households that maintain more than one car decreased. Furthermore, more students have enrolled in graduate studies. The increases of rivalry among job applicants have led to attaining higher degrees such as masters and doctorate. Concerning gender, women have been closing in on occupations that were traditionally masculine subjugated. For example, more and more females have been working as engineers, police officers, and welders. The census has also concluded that the gap regarding earnings between the rich and the poor have become wider in 2009. This made the rate of poverty at its highest in the last 50 years. “With more than 8 million jobs lost during this Great Recession, the conversation has changed from how to fill the seats of those leaving the workplace to how to create a workplace that can compete and profit in a nation that has lost trillions of dollars in wealth and is struggling to find solid strategies for revival and growth” (Magaliff 374). Companies that have lived through the declines have been going through experiments concerning their capability in continually surviving the setbacks. These encounters have affected employees, retirees, fresh graduates, and job applicants. Since there have been lesser jobs available, competition among aspirants has become fiercer. Many businesses, both small and large have declared bankruptcy, or sank even lower in debt. Though rivalry had already been tight, the lesser quantity of openings has set the bar even higher. Those who have fortunately stayed employed have likewise been suffering the limitations of cost cutting. Certain benefits have been withdrawn and domino effects of restrictions have been felt in all levels. At present, the lasting effects of the recession can still be undergone. The decrease of investments in scores of fields such as research and development and capital has deeply disfigured the economy. This further led to longstanding underemployment as well as unemployment. Since lots of workers have been forced outside the employment range, they have looked into other sources of income and some of them have led to crime. The instability in the workplace has produced disgruntled employees and highly-stressed managers. Individuals with small businesses or those who took the risk to start their own have also become disappointed since the expected economic recovery is not as optimistic as what was predicted. Worldwide, these effects and many more have been experienced. The depression in the United States has produced a cataclysmic effect in the other regions. For instance, a great part of Europe has not yet fully recovered from its setback. In Asia, Japan is still in the process of bouncing back from its losses. Though China is better off as compared to other countries, their economic growth has also been slower than usual. Indeed, the recession has affected all individuals in one way or the other. Secondly, women have been especially concerned in the recession’s stimulus package. “As Barack Obama’s transition team developed a stimulus package to jump start the U.S. economy, feminist economists and historians organized petitions, e-mails, and meetings to call attention to women’s needs” (Hartmann 42). This direct action was far from being expected. Though it was not that perceptible to the social media, its organization was very immediate and steadfast. The success of this activism may be attributed to women’s acumen on gathering data and means to intercede. This is proven by the number of women in the offices in higher education. In the academe, there have been more than a few professors, deans, headmasters, and presidents. Feminism has also established its prowess in the economic field. The journal, Feminist Economics has researchers that aim to encourage gender equality in responses to international crises. The activists feared that the stimulus package overlooked the need for human infrastructure. Since the package focused on creating and recreating job opportunities, other aspects such as health centers, family care, and similar essentials seemed to be marginalized. Additionally, the stimulus package poses a bleak future for women as to infrastructure jobs. There has been no assurance that women will be assured of a higher salary and well-compensated trainings. On the other hand, Obama’s program also has benefits for the female populace. For instance, women can profit from various assistances like Temporary Aid to Needy Families or TANF. Still, this seems prejudiced when compared to the financial assistance that unemployed men are supposed to receive. Allocations for the educational sector can also indirectly benefit women by upgrading their level of employability. Due to the efforts of feminists, additional grants such as Special Supplemental Program for Women, Violence Against Women Grants, and support for workers’ protection were conferred. “In March 2009, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a seven-page report on how the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act invests in women and children. One other significant government report came out of the process. On January 10, 2009, Christina Romer and Jared Bernstein, economists on Obama’s transition team, released a report estimating the employment impact of the proposed stimulus package” ( Hartmann, 47). Policies have been encouraged to augment the benefits for women in the stimulus package. It is an advantage that women’s plight are represented in the legislations in various sectors. In fact, the figures in terms of projected jobs to be available were separately identified as to gender. This incident connotes a positive act towards gender sensitivity in governmental proceedings. Moreover, there are benefits for those who have to take leaves in relation to constraining family concerns like attending to sick relatives, evading domestic violence, and relocation due to work affairs. There are also subsidies for those engaging in part time jobs. In contrast to the past when men’s predicaments were solely considered, the present lawmakers have given women more deserved importance. Fortunately, women’s destitutions were unequivocally taken into account in the stimulus package. Thirdly, women’s employment has been majorly influenced by the economic crisis. Specifically, wives’ employments when their husbands have stopped working have altered. “Wives of husbands who stopped working during the recession were more likely to increase work hours, and more likely to commence or seek work. During the great recession years, the effect for wives entering the labor force is significantly greater than during the earlier years of relative prosperity” (Mattingly and Smith 343). Since the conventional bread winner of the family has been laid off, mothers have sought multiple ways on how to support their family’s basic needs. This makes the traditional responsibilities of men and women undergo extraordinary adjustments to adapt the economic challenges. In 2009, an article in New York Times indicated that women may soon, for the ?rst time in history, surpass men in the labor force due to higher male job loss (Rampbell). Women have taken responsibilities to help their families survive. More and more social units have become dependent to women’s bi-monthly pay checks. Through the recession, women’s positions in health and educational establishments have actually increased or remained the same. The stable statistics makes homes rely more on women especially those in such kinds of occupations. “Economic theory contends that wives of men with higher unemployment risk should have higher hours of employment permanently, not only during times of husband’s unemployment, as a safeguard” (Mattingly and Smith 345). Surveys have shown that women who were previously full time house managers entered the workforce when their husbands got fired from their contracts. “There is evidence that families are adapting to husbands’ stopping work differently during the recession as compared with earlier years of prosperity” (Mattingly and Smith 354). Undeniably, wives have been joining the working force to a bigger range when they shift out of the labor cogency. Furthermore, wives have been spending more time and effort looking for scarce employment. The unwelcoming situation makes it hard for most families to raise their income. This may then give rise to women driven to toil in unlikely job descriptions or working environments that do not really suit skills and interests. Basing on studies, working wives impact to the family income rose to 45% during the first year of the recession (Smith 3). This situation is very likely to maintain or escalate since the economy has not fully regained its constancy. It is also possible that women have found empowerment in their employment and are prospective to continue providing for their homes. The rising importance of women as earners implies variations in gender roles. One probability is that women may have a higher level of multiple burdens. Since they are compelled to work, they may come home to house chores and mothering duties that have been neglected. This may be the case when both mother and father have to work. To completely cover the family’s needs, the present economy entails two wage earners. Sometimes, the salaries of both parents are not enough to entirely support demands. One of the vivid examples is the case of Renee. “Everything about Renee’s morning is structured for speed and efficiency. Second shift at 5:45, with her young son, Wade, and husband, Alan still sleeping, Renee drags herself out of bed and sleepwalks into the shower… Renee knows exactly how each of her morning tasks will take, to the minute. That for instance, between 6 and 6:12 she needs to put on her makeup, get herself dressed, get her son’s clothes out and ready for the day, and get downstairs to the kitchen and fix breakfast” ( Blades and Rowe-Finkbeiner 1). The prolonged hours spent at looking for work or being involved at work leads to lesser leisure and family bonding time. Work stress also upsurges due to the weariness of the employees. This in turn affects the family and their relationship with one another. Children may get neglected and marital relations experience adversities. Another possibility is the commonality of husbands having household duties such as care giving and domestic tasks. More and more fathers may be staying at home cooking meals, tending to the children, and doing laundry while their wives advance their careers. A second advantage is the emancipation of women in the workplace. Since the number of working women is increasing, their value is being more appreciated by the public. Though they are very useful at home with their indispensable contributions, their position in offices, companies, and other establishments have placed more worth in their existence. Fourthly, females have been widely impoverished due to the economic insecurity. “Since the beginning of recession at the end of 2007, unemployment has increased rapidly, in Pennsylvania as it has elsewhere. While many families suffer as a result of reduced earnings and unemployment, women who head households face significantly higher risks of unemployment than male heads of households, and are much more likely than men to live in poverty” (Hegewisch and Williams 1). Sadly, women are the ones who bear the major brunt of poverty. Though they studiously prepare themselves for the challenges of education and other kinds of training, most of them end up suffering most of predicaments’ effects than men. This is caused by the lower income that women generally receive as compared to men. Since females are the major caregivers of children, most of their earnings are diminished by concerns related to this responsibility such as maternity leaves, hospitalization and other healthcare expenses, and the like. As a result, their lifetime pay checks become vulnerable. There is no doubt that there are more women than men who worry about the recession because of the myriad apprehensions connected with it. Beside the fact that the recession greatly affects women, the public has portrayed it otherwise. Seemingly, women’s career decline and other kinds of losses have been under represented. The focus of mass media has much dealt with men’s laborious pain. In the case of single mothers, their unemployment rates have gone up. This suggests that they have more need especially for women who have more than one child. For the single moms who have work, many of them may need to have more part time jobs or increased working hours. The extended time stress their time management in particular to their mothering duties. If women with husbands have stress in dealing with house chores, children, and work, the situation is even worse for single mothers. Furthermore, the economic marginalization of women in the workplace regarding their salaries has caused indigence. Poverty is seen in various ways in women’s respective quandaries. Sidel vividly describes how women become members of the poor society. The “new poor” is classified as “a group of people who did not grow up in poverty, some of whom grew up working class or middle class or even upper middle class but, because of events in their lives- divorce, death, illness, unemployment, an untimely birth, or other precipitating events- have fallen into poverty” (Sidel 60). For example, because of the recession, women have fallen prey into the sudden pull of losses. Another group of poor women are the “temporarily poor”. These are those who receive benefits or assistances for a short period of time. Due to the trade and industry decline, many individuals have been caught out of balance, thus, needing temporary aid to help them get back on their feet. The next division is the “working poor”. These are the “domestic workers, child-care workers, health aides, and part time fast food employees who struggle to make enough for their families” (Sidel 63). Countless mothers have been routinely labouring in double and even triple shifts just to make ends meet. They are poor not because they are lazy but because what they receive in exchange for their services are very low. They toil all day and night with just a few hours of sleep. Still, their economic status is stagnant or goes even lower. The other classification is the battered and abused women. On top of the physical, psychological, and sexual abuse, they have experienced economic abuse. Thus, most of the victims’ only alternative is the social welfare system. The last kind of poor is the “underclass”. They are usually regarded as highly dependent. To subsist, they engage in crime and other kinds of deviances. The rest of the society looks down on them and brands them as useless, dangerous, and hopeless. As a result, the social stigma does not give them a chance to improve their status. It becomes a cycle of crime, low education, and unemployment. In relation to race, more women of color have applied for loans in response to their financial needs. “As the Consumer Federation of America reported, among home purchasers in 2005 whose income was at least twice the area median income ( in other words, middle class and above), African American women took out subprime loans at more than four times the rate of white males” (Hartmann 43). The consequence of elevated interest percentages eventually led to an amplified rate of force closures. This then resulted to homeless families of African American mothers. Though some can bargain with their loan deals through assistance programs, several families still could not. Hence, difficulties among the family members have definitely multiplied both internally and externally. “When we examine the actual resources available to different groups of women, we see that most white women have access to another income through marriage or persistent relationships with the highest income earners: white men” (Palmer 4). On the other hand, women of color have a lesser possibility to depend on another financial source since their husbands are not that consistently employed. As a consequence, numerous of the women assert to work longer hours to have a higher pay. They have also become more independent on their economic empowerment. Most of them realize that they have to pursue their respective livelihoods if they want to be assured of their survival. It is quite risky to be contingent on the unstable employment of their husbands. Similarly, these inopportune situations lead to impoverishment in several ways. Most of them do not have enough time for themselves and could not pursue their hobbies or interests. Their children also suffer from the absence of their mothers’ care. In the same way, their intimate moments as a couple become impecunious. According to the 2008 Department of Labor data, “the poverty rate for black women is 26.2 %, and it is 25.5% for Latina women- more than 4 times higher than the white male poverty rate” (Wiley). Though there is an overall decrease of employment among women, those with color have experienced worse conditions as compared to white women. “Unemployment among young black women has increased by 8.6% to 20.4%. Today, 14.6% of Latina women in that age category are unemployed – an increase of 7.2% since the start of the recession” (Wiley). By more than 1%, black women fared worse in comparison to Latina women. It seems that women of darker color go through more economic hardships. A survey in 2009 by the National Women’s Law Center showed rates concerning poverty by gender, race, and ethnicity. The data concluded that Native American as well as Black women are at the most disadvantage with a poverty rate of 25%. Hispanic women come next at 24%. This is followed by Asian women at 12% and White women at 10%. The statistics show that Native American and Black women have higher risks to be in the poverty group. They have a very slight difference from Hispanic Women. Asian and White women are almost the same with a 2-percent-difference. In a more recent survey by the Urban Institute and Kaiser Commission on Medicaid, and the uninsured estimates based on the Census Bureau’s March 2011 and 2012 Survey, revealed current figures on poverty and race by state. The results remain similar to previous surveys. Blacks have the highest rate at 35% followed by Hispanics at 33% and the Whites at 13%. Though the statistics include both genders, it is still apparent that individuals of color are at a financial handicap. ““Women of color currently make up about 33% of the female workforce and are twice as likely as their white female counterparts to be employed in lower-wage sectors such as the service industry” (Kerby 2). They are underrepresented in more professional lines of occupation. As an effect, most of them do not enjoy high positions and salaries. This means that the government should have more assistance especially to women of color. In a nutshell, the recession has affected all peoples regardless of gender, race, and location. The great economic setback in America has created a chain of events that covered vast territories. This led to multifarious impediments for all individuals in differing intensities. Particularly, women have suffered greatly from the recession. Through efficient feminist movements, President Obama’s stimulus package has considered women’s plight. More gender-sensitive-grants were included in the programs of the government. Furthermore, there are more women than men who experience indigent conditions. While many females prepare for a successful and productive future, masses of them end up within the poverty line. This may be caused by lower salary rates, lesser career opportunities, or multiple tasks. Many women also become poor because of sudden events such as the recession. Others are classified as unfortunate and receive temporary assistance from the government. Some have been violated and abused and have to rely on the support of the welfare system. Several have been stigmatized as the lower class with distinct glum existence. Since the recession has caused scores of job losses, particularly for men, their wives have taken the initiative to earn for the family. Mothers have looked into different ways on how they can also help in providing sources of subsistence such as online jobs and other avenues. This results to an advantage regarding women’s reputation in the society. They may be better viewed with importance due to their skills in financing their homes’ basics. Lastly, a woman’s color may be a significant element regarding poverty. Statistics have shown that those of color experience a higher level of financial holdup. While and after researching on this topic, I have come to know more about certain concepts such as the stimulus package as a response to the recession, the existence of economic feminists, and the specific rates of underprivileged women as to ethnicity. I have heard of the stimulus package before but I did not specifically recognize the policies featured in the program. It is also interesting to take note of the brilliance of activists particularly in a very logical aspect such as economics. I have not realized that even at the present times, there is still a racial discrimination in employment and economic status. Concerning the research process, I have understood that referencing is important. It is essential to respect the authors by citing them properly. While it is taxing to identify the page, author, and all the other details, one of the vital aspects of research is to review and regard other researchers. Furthermore, it takes time to gather data, organize them, and analyse them into a cohesive paper. It is indeed a challenge to look into various factors and look into their interaction. However, once the paper is done, it is quite fulfilling to see the beauty of the well-thought-out passages. This topic absolutely reflects the intersectional perspective since it delves into the collaboration of four elements: gender, race, poverty, and recession. The aforementioned discussions indicated how women as compared to men have been affected by the economic downturn, the veracity of their shortage, and how ethnicity comes into play concerning their fiscal status. This research ultimately contributes to understanding people’s lives by expounding on the various facets that contribute to one’s lifestyle. In relation to social policy, this exposition considers guidelines, legislations, and other activities that influence welfare. For instance, the stimulus package denoted the principles that can aid the disadvantaged population. The principles of the feminist movement also portray the changes that need to be made for a more gender equal society. Personally, I have appreciated the value of women in the society. More and more, I have comprehended the inconveniences that women have been suffering even at the modern times. Also, accumulating information on ethnicity, employment, poverty, and gender is a way of advocating social inclusion, democracy, and global harmony. Works Cited Cullen, J. B., & Gruber, J. “Does Unemployment Insurance Crowd uut Spousal Labor Supply?”. Journal of Labor Economics, 2000:546 – 572. Print. Hartmann, Heidi. “Women, the Recession, and the Stimulus Package.” Dissent Fall 2009: 42-47. Print. Hegewish, Ariane, and Williams, Claudia. “The Female Aspect of Poverty and Economic Insecurity”. Institute For Women’s Policy Research Feb. 2010: 1-6. Print. Kaisser Family Foundation. “Poverty Rate by Race”. State Health Facts. 2011. Web. 15 Dec. 2012. Magaliff, Gail. “The Recession That Changed it All.” Journal of Jewish Communal Service Summer/Fall 2010: 370-374. Print. Mattingly, Marybeth, and Smith, Kristin. “Changes in Wives’ Employment When Husbands Stop Working: A Recession – Prosperity Comparison.” Interdisciplinary Journal of Applied Family Studies. Oct. 2010: 343-357. Print. McCall, Leslie. "The Complexity of Intersectionality." Journal of Women in Culture and Society, Spring 2005: 1771–1800. Print. Nasser, Haya El, Overberg, Paul an Cauchon, Dennis. “Recession Affecting Every Aspect of American Life”. USA Today, 28 Sept. 2010. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. National Women’s Law Center. “Poverty Among Women and Families”. National Women’s Law. Sept. 2010. Web. 14 Dec. 2012. Palmer, Phyllis. “The Racial Feminization of Poverty: Women of Color as Portents of Future for All Women”. Women’s Studies Quarterly. Fall, 1983: 4-6. Print. Rampbell, Catherine. “Gender and Job Losses”. The New York Times. 02 Feb. 2009. Web. 15 Dec. 2012. Sidel, Ruth. From Keeping Women and Children Last. New York: Penguin.1998 .Print. Smith, Kristin. Increased Reliance On Wives As Breadwinners During The ?rst Year Of The Recession. New Hampshire: University of New Hampshire. 2009. Print. Wiley, Maya. “Feminomics”. Roosevelt Institute. 23 May 2011. Web. 17 Dec. 2012. Read More